All electric for all the family – Mercedes new seven-seat EQB

Mercedes has become the first car maker to offer an affordable seven-seat, all-electric car with the launch of the EQB. Previously, the only electric vehicles which offered enough spaces for the larger family were van-based like the Nissan e-NV200, the new Citroen ë-Berlingo or the £90,000+ Tesla Model X.

EQB is based on the GLB but has an all-electric powertrain

The car is based on the existing petrol/diesel GLB but is marked out as an EQ electric model with a few subtle styling changes. The UK will get two models at launch, named the EQB 300 and EQB 350. The line-up will include front-wheel and all-wheel drive, plus batteries with capacities starting from 66.5 kWh and giving a 261 mile range. A long-range version is also planned.

A 66.5 kWh battery gives a claimed 261 mile range

All versions of the EQB will accept rapid DC charging at 100kW, which allows an 80% charge in around 35 minutes. This isn’t quite as fast as notable rivals, however.

The EQB is 4684 mm long – around the same as a Ford Focus estate or Skoda Kodiak SUV. Seven seats will be standard on all models sold in the UK, although Mercedes says the third row can only be used by people up to 5 ft 4 inches tall. Child seats can be fitted, however.

A EQB 300 and EQB 350 will be the models available from launch, with full UK pricing and specification details announced in the autumn. Mercedes won't have the space to itself for long though, as Tesla will offer a seven-seat version of the Model Y in early 2022.